Game with accumulable tokens

ABSTRACT

A game wherein players move their game pieces around a pathway collecting tokens from a plurality of stores while trying to avoid sharing a space with a commonly controlled chaser piece is described. Moreover, the game may be portable. In some cases, the game apparatus may be carried in a plastic case that resembles a hard-backed book. The game components may be based on an individual chapter from a published children&#39;s book or novel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based upon and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to the following U.S. provisional patent application, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes: Serial No. 60/340,007 entitled “Book Based Games,” filed Nov. 1, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to board games, and more specifically to board games that resemble a book when closed, and resemble a children's play set when open. The invention also includes various rules and apparatus for playing a board game, including games having multiple levels or room-like portions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Examples of board games that resemble a book are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,221,267, 3,880,429, 4,712,673, 4,781,384, 5,356,155, 5,961,149, and 6,203,017, and examples of board games that include multiple levels or room-like portions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,767,201, 3,804,416, 4,333,654, 4,534,565, 5,195,750, 5,443,268, 5,678,819 and 6,170,825, the disclosures of all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention includes portable games carried in a plastic case that resembles a hard-backed book. Opening the book unfolds the game board. Various embodiments may be based on an individual chapter from a published children's book or novel.

[0005] Preferably, the housing and game board double as a play set, for use with detailed figures and environments.

[0006] The present invention further includes rules and apparatus for playing a board game in which players move their game pieces around a pathway collecting tokens from a plurality of stores while trying to avoid sharing a space with a commonly controlled chaser piece.

[0007] The advantages of the present invention will be understood more readily after a consideration of the drawings and the Detailed Description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the game of the present invention, including a housing, playing surface, playing pieces, and accumulable tokens.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a close-up of the stores shown in FIG. 1.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a close-up of the accumulable tokens shown in FIG. 1.

[0011]FIG. 4 is an isolated view of the housing of FIG. 1 in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is a game played by at least two players involving strategy and chance. As will be understood, game 110 may incorporate elements from a particular theme or popular cultural phenomenon, such as a book or movie. In such a case, the elements of game 110 may include depictions, shapes, and colors that reflect or exemplify this theme or phenomenon. In particular, game 110 may be based on a particular portion of popular media, such as a chapter of a book or novel.

[0013] An exemplary embodiment of game 110 is shown in FIG. 1. Typically, game 110 includes a housing 112 having an inner surface 114 and an outer surface 116. Located on inner surface 114 is a game board 118. Game board 118 includes a number of store spaces 120. A pathway 122 made up of a number of connecting spaces 124 links the store spaces to each other. Each store space 124 is typically sized to accommodate a store 126 and a set of tokens 128. As shown, pathway 122 may further include a start/finish area 130 and a chaser start area 132.

[0014] Game 110 further includes a number of playing pieces 134 including a player mover 136 for each player, a commonly controlled chaser 138 and a random number generator, such as die 140.

[0015] As stated above, game 110 may be based on a particular piece of popular media such as a book or more. More particularly, game 110 may be based on a portion of the popular media piece such as a book chapter. In such a case, it may be desirable for game 110 to also be suitable for use as a play set. When used as a play set, game 110 may include play items based on those items and situations described in the book or other form of popular media. Furthermore, game 110 may include additional decorative items that are not used in game play according to the rules of the game.

[0016] In addition, some or all of the items used in game play may be suitable for use as part of the play set. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, each store 126 may be represented by a three dimensional replica of a store. Each store 126 may further include a receptacle 142 suitable for receiving each set of tokens 128. Examples of suitable tokens are shown in FIG. 3.

[0017] As stated above, game 110 may further include a housing 112 having an inner surface 114 and an outer surface 116. Typically, housing 112 is adapted to move from an open position, as shown in FIG. 4 to a closed position, as shown in FIG. 5. Generally, game board 118 is exposed for play when the housing is in the open position. The housing may resemble a book when in the closed position. Furthermore, the housing may be adapted to contain all of the playing components including the playing pieces and any decorative items not used in game play when in the closed position.

[0018] In one embodiment, the present invention provides rules for using the above-described apparatus wherein players may move their game pieces around the pathway collecting tokens from each of the stores. In addition, players may move a commonly controlled chaser piece and attempt to penalize their opponent by moving the chaser piece onto a square occupied by their opponent's playing piece.

[0019] As stated above, the game may be based on a well-known popular culture phenomenon, such as a book or movie. Accordingly, the example below is based on the popular children's book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J. K. Rowlings.

[0020] An example of a set of rules for a game constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention follows:

EXAMPLE I Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone™ Diagon Alley Chapter Game

[0021] Contents

[0022] 1 Mini Game Book

[0023] 2 Hagrid & Harry Movers

[0024] 1 Malfoy Mover

[0025] 6 Stores: Gringotts, Ollivanders, Madam Malkins, Eeylops Owl Emporium, Flourish and Blotts, Apothecary

[0026] 12 Tokens: 2 Owls, 2 Cauldrons, 2 Books, 2 Wands, 2 Robes, 2 Coins

[0027] 1 Die

[0028] 5 Customer Applied Labels

[0029] Set Up

[0030] 1. Unfold game board.

[0031] 2. Affix the shop labels to the appropriate building, matching the indentation on the building with the label

[0032] 3. Place 2 School Supply Tokens in their respective buildings, matching the symbol on the Token with the name of the building.

[0033] Match them up as follows:

[0034] Apothecary: Cauldron Token

[0035] Flourish & Blotts: Book Token

[0036] Gringotts: Coin Token

[0037] Ollivanders: Wand Token

[0038] Eeylops: Owl Token

[0039] Madam Malkins: Robe Token

[0040] 4. Place the 6 buildings with their 2 Tokens on the game board, matching the Token symbols with the corresponding symbols on the game board, i.e., Place Eeylops on the Owl Symbol, etc.

[0041] 5. Place the 2 Harry/Hagrid™ movers on the Leaky Cauldron “Start” space.

[0042] 6. Place the Malfoy mover on Malfoy's Start place in the center of the board.

[0043] Object

[0044] Make your way from the Leaky Cauldron to Gringotts and collect your Money Token. Then visit each of the 5 remaining stores (in any order) and collect 1 Token from each store. The first player to collect all 6 Tokens and make it back to the Leaky Cauldron is the winner. But don't bump into Malfoy because he'll take your Token(s).

[0045] Let's Go Shopping

[0046] 1. Player with the higher roll goes first.

[0047] 2. On your turn you get to roll the die twice. The first time (1-6) is for your mover. The second roll (1-4) is for Malfoy. If you roll a 5 or 6 you can't move Malfoy. See below under “Details on the Malfoy Mover”.

[0048] 3. Move your character out of the Leaky Cauldron and head over to Gringotts, following the game path. You must collect your Gringotts Token before you can continue shopping.

[0049] 4. After you have collected your Gringotts Token, visit the other 5 stores (in any order you like) and collect 1 Token from each store. Stack your Tokens in the order in which you collect them.

[0050] 5. You must enter the stores using the staircase in front of each.

[0051] 6. You do not have to land in a store by exact count. But once you land in a store that is the end of your turn.

[0052] 7. You can only move in one direction on your turn. No doubling back.

[0053] 8. You can't share spaces on the game path. If you land on an occupied space, move to the next available space.

[0054] 9. You can share a store space.

[0055] 10. Malfoy doesn't have to land on you by exact count. See below under “Details on the Malfoy Mover”.

[0056] 11. If you bump into Malfoy or he bumps into you, he sends you back to the Malfoy Start space and you must return your most recently purchased Token to its store of origin. If you don't have any Tokens you get sent back to the Leaky Cauldron “Start” space. Malfoy always stays on the space where he caught you.

[0057] 12. You don't get your second “Malfoy” roll if Malfoy catches you.

[0058] 13. After you have collected all 6 Tokens, make your way back to the Leaky Cauldron, avoiding encounters with Malfoy. You don't have to land at the Leaky Cauldron by exact count.

[0059] 14. First player back to the Leaky Cauldron is the winner.

[0060] Details on the Malfoy Mover

[0061] 1. You move Malfoy on your second roll. You can only move him if you roll a 1, 2, 3, or 4. If you roll a 5 or 6 he stays put.

[0062] 2. Malfoy leaves his “Start” space using the stairs.

[0063] 3. Malfoy can only move in one direction, no doubling back to catch your opponent.

[0064] 4. Malfoy doesn't have to land on you by exact count. If you are in his way or he's blocking you, you're in trouble!

[0065] 5. If Malfoy catches you, return your most recently “purchased” Token to its store of origin. Malfoy stays where he is (on the space where he caught you). Place your mover on Malfoy Start space. You also forfeit your second “Malfoy” role. Play continues with the next player.

[0066] 6. The above rule also applies if you haven't yet purchased any school supplies, but do have your Gringotts Money Token. You must return your Money Token to Gringotts. Malfoy stays where he is (on the space where he caught you). Place your mover on the Malfoy Start space. You also forfeit your second “Malfoy” roll. Play continues with the next player.

[0067] 7. If Malfoy catches you but you don't have either Money or Supply Tokens, then return your mover to the “Start” space in the Leaky Cauldron. Malfoy stays where he is (on the space where he caught you).

[0068] 8. Malfoy can't enter any of the stores. But if he's waiting outside, blocking your exit, the above rules apply.

[0069] 9. You can't jump over Malfoy.

[0070] 10. You must use all of your Malfoy moves. Move Malfoy the number of spaces as indicated on the die.

[0071] It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

[0072] Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed in this or a related application. Such claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to any original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A game comprising: a gameboard having: a player start/finish space; a chaser start space; a plurality of store spaces; and a pathway of connecting spaces linking the player start/finish space, the chaser start space, and store spaces to each other; a plurality of stores; at least one token for each store, wherein the tokens represent items that may be obtained from the stores; a random number generator; and a plurality of playing pieces including a player mover having distinguishable characteristics; and a commonly controlled chaser.
 2. The game of claim 1 wherein each store is a three-dimensional figure shaped to resemble a building.
 3. The game of claim 2 wherein each three-dimensional figure is adapted to receive one or more tokens.
 4. The game of claim 1 wherein the number of tokens per store space is equal to the number of players playing the game.
 5. The game of claim 1, wherein the plurality of stores includes a bank, an owl emporium, a wand store, a robe store, an apothecary, and a book store.
 6. The game of claim 1 wherein the game board is located on the inside of a housing, wherein the housing is movable from an open position to a closed position.
 7. The game of claim 6 wherein the housing is adapted to contain the tokens, stores, random number generator, and playing pieces when the housing is in the closed position.
 8. The game of claim 6 wherein the housing resembles a closed book when the housing is in the closed position.
 9. A method for playing a game having a game board including a plurality of stores linked by a pathway of connecting spaces, a plurality of playing pieces including a mover for each player and a commonly controlled chaser, and rules for playing the game, the method comprising: moving playing pieces on a game board in turns, wherein a first turn comprises moving a first player mover and the commonly controlled chaser, and a second turn comprises moving a second player mover and the commonly controlled chaser; giving a penalty to a mover that is in the same space as the chaser; accumulating a token from each store; and winning the game by accumulating one token from each store.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the penalty is placing the mover on a start space.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the start space is a start/finish space.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the start space is a chaser start space.
 13. The method of claim 9 wherein the penalty is returning an accumulated token.
 14. A method of playing a game comprising: providing rules for playing the game; providing a game board having: a player start/finish space; a chaser start space; a plurality of store spaces; and a pathway of connecting spaces linking the player start/finish space, the chaser start space and the plurality of store spaces to each other; providing a plurality of three dimensional stores shaped to resemble buildings, each store being adapted to be placed on a store space; providing a set of tokens for each store, wherein the tokens represent items that might be obtained from the stores; providing a die; providing a plurality of playing pieces including: a player mover having distinguishable characteristics; and a commonly controlled chaser; moving the plurality of playing pieces along the pathway according to the rules; penalizing a player mover that is in the same space as the commonly controlled chaser; accumulating tokens from each store; and winning the game by accumulating one token from each of the stores. 